Device for automatically clutching bobbins to spindles of spinning and twisting machines.



R. S. MATTESON. DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY GLUTCHING ROBBINS TO SPINDLES 0F SPINNING AND TWISTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION IILED MAY17, 1912.

1,072,345. Patented Sept.2,1913.

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RUFUS S. MATTESON, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY CLUTCI-IING ROBBINS 'IO SPINDLES OF SPINNING AND TWISTING MACHINES.

i arr/2,345.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 17, 1912.

ll'atented Sept. 2, 1913.

Serial No. 697,944.

To (infill/1.0771 it may concern lie it known that T, lturos h. Ma'r'insox, a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of lthode lsland, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Devices for ,iutomatically Clutching Robbins to Spindles of Spinning and Twisting Machines, of which the -t'ollmving is a it spccilication.

i'iiy presentinvention relates to bobbinclutching devices of the type or class in which the rotative speed of the centrally mounted spindle-blade is utilized to automatically and frictionally clutch the bobbin placed on the spindle and cause them to rotate in unison, and it consists in the novel construction and combination of parts, substant'ially as herein set forth and claimed.

The objects of my invention are to produce a clutching device, of the general class referred to, in which the elements thereof are simple, comparatively light, positive in its clutching action upon the bobbins when the spindle is normally revolving, and adapted to automatically centralize the bobbin on the spindle, whether the bobbin be empty or carrying a yarn-load. The device is also provided with a stop or means for uniformly limiting the bobbins position downward upon the spindle. Moreover, the bobbin may be readily attached to and removed from the spindle, if desired, while the spindle is in normal rotary action.

By means of my invention power is transmitted from the revolving spindle and nt-i lized for moving vertically certain elements revoluble. in unison therewith, whereby a plurality of supported clutching members, also revolving bodily with the spindle, are swung or oscillated to engage the contiguous inner surface of the yarn bobbin positioned on the spindle, thereby both accurately centralizing and clutching the bobbin to the spindle automatically.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings, Figure t represents a vertical side elevation of portions of a spindle, base, &c., embody ing my improvement; Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal central section, in enlarged scale, representing the spindle, bobbin, &c., in the unclutched, stationary condition; Fig. 3 is a similar sectional view, showing said parts in the normally clutched condition;

llig. l; is a side elevation of the combined clutch-holder and carrier member, detached from the spindle; Fig. 5 is an inner side elevation of one of the scmi-circular arms or levers adapted, when mounted, both for rotary and oscillatory movements; Fig. (3 is a correspolnling top plan view; Figs. 7, 8, and S) represent, respectively, edge, outer, and inner side elevations of one of the clutch members, detached from the carrier; Fig. 10 represents a top plan view of a plurality of the circularly disposed clutch members; and Fig. 11 is a partial side view of said lovers. the inclosing casing therefor, spindle, and vertically slidable clutch-actuating sleeve.

The following is a more detailed descrip tion of the invention, including its opera tion: The base and step member A, employed for supporting the spiinlle-blade li, is or may be constructed and mounted in a well-known way. The whirl proper \V is provided. with an enlarged upper annular extension I) terminating in a reduced sleeve 1) fixed to the spindle. Secured to and surrounding the said part I) is disposed an upwardly extending bowl-shaped casing (l, 1-, surmounted by a disk-like bobbin-supporl ing cap or cover I), of sheet-metal, having a downwardly extending peripheral llange or rim d snugly litting the upper portion of the casing U. The center portion of the member 1) has an upwardly extending intcgral annular head (I having a dome-shaped end through which the spindle extends. The chamber (1" of said head is adapted to freely receive the lower portion Idof the movable clutching members N and the sleeve part 7" of the vertically movable clutch-actuator I soon to be described. The wall of the member (I is provided peripherally with a plurality of spaced openings for re ceiving, holding and guiding the upper portion 'n of the clutches.

'lhe bobbin ll, having its lower portion chamberiul at h, is adapted to 't'r-eely receive the spindle and head (I carrying the clutching-members and rest directly upon the cover I). The bored surface 71 of the bobb-in's chamber slightly exceeds the outer diameter of the part 1?. When the spindle is stationary, the bobbin-engaging surface of the clutch members is inward and disengaged from the bobbin, substantially as shown in Figs. 2 and l0; but when in normal running action the said parts are in engagement. See Fig. 3.

Each of the clutching elements N is movably supported or pivoted about midway of its length by means of the outer shoulcer n which rests on the lower end of the respective opening (Z of the annular head (Z. The lower portion a of the clutch may be materially heavier than the other part a whereby the normal tendency or gravity of the clutch operates to maintain the latter in the unclutch-ed condition when the spindle is norrrevolving.

The clutch-actuator F, before referred to, consists essentially of a flanged, vertical sleeve, F, f mounted for free sliding movement. on the said tubular extension Z2 of the whirl fixed to and revoluble with the spindle. The upper end portion extends above the member If and is provided with an inward shoulder bored to receive the spindle and having an annular recess F, the inner side of the latters wall is beveled and extends upwardly at an angle in a divergent direction, thereby forming a beveled seat having the lower portion a of the movable clutching members N engageable therewith (see n The members N are suitably mounted and supported at 11, on the base of the openings (Z of the chambered revoluble clutch-carrier (Z, and having the upper portions 12 practically non-movable verti cally, but capable of lateral, swinging movement in said openings CF.

The pair of oppositely disposed, semi-circular levers E are located in. the chamber of the casing C, the ends e of the levers being pivoted or fulcrumed in openings or notches 0 formed in the upper edge of the casings wall. See dotted lines Figs. 2 and 3. The cap-like snugly fitting member D, bet-ore referred to, also serves to prevent the levers from becoming accidentally unseated. The levers practically encircle the base flange f of the vertically movable clutchactuator F; each of thelevers is provided with inwardly extending dogs or lugs e integral therewith and located near said pivot members 6 and being normally engageable with the underside of flange f As devised and hereinbefore described, it is obvious that my improved automatic bobbin-clutching mechanism, in cooperation with the revoluble whirl and the parts secured to and revoluble in unison with it are apable of normal operation substantially as follows z Assuming first that the several parts or elements are properly assembled or arranged, substantially as represented in Fig. l of the drawings; now, upon revolving the spindle (the bobbin mounted thereon being, say in the unclutched condition Fig. 2}, DOWGI emanating from the spindle, etc, due to the increasing speed, causes the now revoluble bent levers EE, fulcrumed in the casing (l at 0 to swing upwardly, which upward movement at the same time also causes the several dogs 6 frictionally engaging the enlarged flange f of the clutclractuator F, to move the latter, in cluding its annular seat f upward a corresponding extent, thereby forcibly and simultaneously oscillating the clutching members; said action of the members causes the lower or heavier portion a of each clutch to move inward toward the spindle while the upper part a moves outward through the respective opening (Z of the chambered carrier (.1 until the clutchs outer convex surface frictionally engages the" bored inner face if of the bobbin, at which instant the latter becom-es'practically locked to the spindle and revolves continuously in unison with it. The thus locked condition of the bobbin is represented in Fig. 3. The bobbin may, by the exercise of slight force on the part or" the attendant, be both applied to and withdrawn from the spindle while the latter is normally running, the same being effected without disturbin or in am wise disarranging the members of the device. It is obvious also that the clutching-parts N cannot become accidentally unseated and drop out, either inward or outward, even though the spindle, whirl, etc., be revolving and the bobbin absent. The spindle while being temporarily stationary may have the bobbin placed loosely in position thereon, limited by the cap D, until the accelerated speed attained, following the starting of the spindle, produces suflicient power to secure or clutch the spindle to the bobbin. The arrows represented in Fig. 1, and numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4, indicate, respectively, the direction of movement of the several cooperating members during the normal operation of my bobbin-clutching device. The spindle and the parts fixed thereto maybe rotated in a right or left direct-ion, as desired.

In connection with the foregoing description I would add: The center of gravity of the clutching members N, fulcrumed in the wall of the head or carrier cl, does not extend laterally outward beyond the head (whether the latter is moving or stationary), therefore the normal tendency of the clutching or bobbin-engagingportion a of the latter remains in the free or inward position until the upwardly moving actuator member F, normally engageable with the other or lower portion a of the clutches, causes the latter to swing inward, which action vibrates the upper part a outward into frictional engagement with the bobbin to rotate it in unison with the spindle and the other rotating parts. Conversely, the clutch members automatically release themselves from the bobbin when the clutching action of the actuator is withdrawn, as for example, when it is moving downwardly, or

when stationary. I would further state that with the eu'iployment of my improved bobl'lin clntehing er clamping mrans, one of the resulting advantages possessed by it is that it acts as a practically continuous self-centering device for the bobbins (whether empty or loaded) mounted on the revolving spindles, owing to the fact that the inner or central point or :liulerum oi? the several clutches are in substantially continuous engagement with the spindle, thereby avoidfi' \vabbling or eccentric moven'ient, more or less, in spinning and twisting machines. In other words, the clutches employed in my invention have what may be termed a thrce-point contact; that is, the lower or inner end of each clutch member is in engagement with the actuator, the upper or outer bearing part at the same time, when in use, being engageable with the bobbin and having the inner or central point bearing against the spindle blade, as before stated. Since the apertured clutch-carrier or head (Z rotates by and with the spindle, the clutch members will not produce creases or grooves in the spindles surtace. lt may be added that, obviously, the spinning machine is at rest while the yarnloaded bobbins are being withdrawn or dotted from the spindles. The empty bobbins may be readily dropped over the stationary spindles, the stop or cover D serving to limit their downward movement, thus, at the same time, automatically placing them in horizontal alinement. In addition to the above, it may be stated that in former bobbin-clutching means, the direct action of relative force invariably caused the clamping or clutching elements employed to move outward and cooperate with said elements to eltect the clutching of the bobbin to the spindle. in my improved automatic bobbin-clutching device the rotative force of the spindle alone acts, on the contrary, to automatically move the clutches inward and prevent the cl utching of the bobbin to the spindle. In other words, in order to effect the clutching proper ot the parts, the rotative force of the spindle utilized to automatically transform or change the direction of such force.

l claim as my invention 1- 1. In an automatic bobbin-clutching device tt'or spindles, the combination with a revolubly supported spindle, a vertically eX- tending head member secured to the spindle. and a plurality of independently disposed clutching-members mounted for radial movement in and revolublc bodily with said head, of an actuator member or sleeve mounted concentrically with the spindle and engageable with the clutches, and means, actuated and controlled by the revoluble spindle, for moving said sleeve a limited extent longitudinally of the spindle, whereby, when in use, certain portions of the clutching members are caused to clutch the bobbin to the spindle and centralize it thereon.

.2. in a bobbin-clutching device tor spindles, the (annbination of a vertical revolubly supported spiiullc, an upwardly extending head member secured thereto, clutching members independently tulcrumed in said head, capable o't being swung radially with respect to the spindle, each clutch member having its upper part adapted, when moved rutward, to clutch the interior of a bobbin removably placed on the spindle, and having the lower portion oi the clutch constructed and arranged with respect to said upper part whereby the normal tendency of the latter is to unelutch itsell? from the bobbin, and means cooperating with the revolving spindle and clutches tor forcibly swinging the clutching portion oi the latter outward to engage the bobbin.

3. in a device for autonmtically clutching bobbins, a revoluble spindle-blade, a driving-whirl or analogous member secured thereto, and an upwardly extending hollow casing and head member mounted to rotate. in. unison with the whirl, the con'lbimition therewith of a plurality of revolubly mounted clutching members, a plurality of arms mounted to swing in vertical planes on relatively stationary pivots, and a vertically slidable actuator interposed between and engageablc with said clutching and arm members, whereby, when the device is in normal action, the energy or live force emanating lrom the revolving spindle causes said arms and actuator to move upward and deflect the clutching portion of the clutch members outward to engage and hold a bobbin positioned on the spindle.

l. in bol)binclutching means, the combination with a revolubly mounted spindle provided with a drivingmember and a head element fixed to the spindle at a point above the driving member, of a plurality of clutching members independently mounted for lateral swinging movement in said head, a clutch-aetuator in operative engagement with said clutch, suitably supported lever members disposed in horizontal planes and revoluble bodily in unison with the spindle, the levers capable of swinging in vertical planes from their relatively stationary fulera or supports, and having said clutchactuator member supported by said levers, whereby, when in use, the movements of the latter in vertical planes imparts a like movement to the c]uteh-actuator.

5. [n a bobbin-chitching device for spin dles of spinning and twisting machines, the combination with a revoluble spindle, and a sleeve or actuator device freely encircling the same, of clutching members inwardly movable through the medium of said sleeve, a chambered head having the clutching members movably mounted therein, a chambered base or casing secured to said head and revoluble with the spindle, and oppositely arranged bent levers pivotally mounted and horizontally disposed in said base and in normal operative engagement with, said sleeve, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.

6. In a bobbin-clutching device, having a spindle adapted for rotary movement, a car- .rier revoluble in unison with the spindle,

and vertical clutching members movably mounted in the carrier, the combination therewith of a vertically movable concentric sleeve member operatively engaging the clutching members, angularly movable bent levers revoluble in horizontal planes in engagement with and adapted to actuate said sleeve, whereby a positioned bobbin may be automatically secured to the clutch memhere.

7. In automatic bobbin-clutching means, the combination with a spindle mounted for rapid rotation and a whirl or driving member, secured to the spindle, provided with a hollow extension and bobbin support, of a plurality of circumferentially arranged individual clutching elements mounted in and carried by said extension, a clutch actuator device engageable with the lower portion of said clutching elements, and automatically controlled position-changing means engageable with said actuator for causing bleof swinging in vertical planes, of a plurality of laterally movable independent clutching members revoluble bodily with the spindle, and means engageable with the levers and with said clutching members,

whereby, when in use, the latter are caused to automatically clutch the spindle to a bobbin supported thereon concurrently with the levers upward movement.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RUFUS S. MATTESON. lVitnesses GEO. I-I. REMINGTON, CALVIN I-I. BROWN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

